
'I/J'3y^/^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



007 031 348 



i 



HoUinger Corp. 
pH 8.5 



Ttie Bo* Telle 




P) ice, 2j (Senis. 




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R. H. VICKERS. 




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CHICAGO : 

Press of the Western Label Co. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 
1893, by Robert H. Vickers. in the office of the Librarian 
of Congress at Washington. 



DEDICATED 

To every Honorable and persecuted President and Mayor 
in the United States. 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



THE BOODLE TEMPLE. 



O, for a Sphinx to guard our Pharaoh's door, 
Watchful of eye and ear, by night and day; 

Alert to challenge all, behind, before. 

Who boldly tread the broad and beaten way 

Fronting the open portal's ample spread. 

Thronged by a surging crowd, who spurn delay, 

With lips compressed, and staring eyeballs red. 

And all their stubborn souls by one fierce passion led. 

From North they come, with fair and rounded face; 

The East's contingent, hungry, spare and wan; 
The West pours in an eager, fearless race; 

The Southern host bears trace of vaunting gone. 
But still undaunted and in friendly guise. 

In restless rivalry the crowd moves on. 
Nor listens to the taunts and hard replies 
Which, flung from quivering lips, in rugged tones arise. 

A mingled throng from every clime are they. 

Here stalwart Turk accosts the wily Greek, 
(Each striving to seize all the crowded way,) 

In tones which still of Navarino speak; 
Swarthy Sicilian beards the yellow Moor; 

Briton and Russ press hard the ebon cheek 
Of Senegambia's darkest. Romans here endure 
The scowl Sarmatia hurls, from slave's foul fate secure. 



The brawn}', plaided Scot, the soft Hindoo — 
Japhet and Shem full typified in each — 

Jostle in the crush; the plastic Jew 

Elbows his sternest hater; Erin's speech 

In words wdiich all the garnered ire reveal 

Of centuries' hate, yet cannot wholly reach 

Its full expression, scorns to conceal 

The one ambition's force which Jew and Gentile feel. 

Bohemian, Finn and Lapp, a motley crowd, 

Suevi and Norse, and dapper Japanese, 
With mingled breath gesticulate aloud; 

And China's slant-eyed sons with stolid ease. 
Press to the goal, though distant and unseen; 

Stout Mag3'ar, too, and Goth contend with these, 
In strong pursuit of that which aye has been 
Man's cult, and guides his life in every human scene. 

To check this ever growing, ceaseless host 

Within a less than savage onslaught, now 

Necessity's decree commands the most 

Stern rule the dread relentless fates allow. 

Arise! O Sphinxl in all thy might appear! 

With terror's eye and ever darkened brow, 

In aspect fierce, inspiring horrid fear. 

To quell this surging mass, which swells from far and near. 

Not as thy prototype on Libya's sand, 

With features mild and sadly patient mien; 

But mighty to subdue this lawless band: 

Not silent, but with utterance hot and keen, 

To pierce their ears, and with poiaEntous roar 

To chase the wrangling rabble from the scene 

Which chokes the Pharaoh's ever open door; 

However gorged with gifts, still clamorous for more. 



Arise! O Sphinx! with tongues' immortal gift, 
In all the tones of varied human speech, 

Ready to smite with sharp retort and swift, 
In aptest phrase, the native cry of each; 

Not in pedantic form or classic mold 

Which men employ when humbly they beseech 

The rich or officed, but as when men scold 

A base intruder's gall in words both clear and bold. 

''■Mach dicli hieraiis,'" in hoarse Teutonic shout, 

"■Otcz voi/s vitc,'" must swift as light succeed. 
Fling ''Klidte se,'' against the rabble rout, 

''DJao.'" ''Ide praedstiind,'' ''Gantweg," forth with speed 
Thrust in their ears; ''Yetch pretch,'' "■Va via,'' "-Po,'' 

''Da/ol,'' "■Tischarce chuk,'" nor stay to heed 
Excuses. "Larga .fc," ^'ErcgJ,'" ^'Fegcii two," 
With "-Poga,'" '■'■Gad u/," ''Be aff now,'' smite them high 

and low. 

They linger still, '■'Fora di qua" fling out; 

'•Houee la," ''Karathlan," '■'■Be dubJi dacJiee," 
'■'■Chi kue," "Vattin," in fiercer shout; 

' ' Gubh a iiiacli," ' 'Jdi ven," "Dcte yiike," 
"Mach lath," "Yeie vinni," with gesture bold, 

"Gadvack," "Iiikhala," "Diirhash," "Iiishi;" 
High amid all the cacophonious scold 
In one strong cry, "Get out," let all thy wrath be told. 

With fearless spring repel the onward stride. 

Nor heed the menaced blow. In ancient days 

Importunate crowds by Nilus' muddy tide 

Besieged their Pharaoh. Meek in gait and phrase 

Their Sphinx endured, with gentle prayer and vow, 
Each ruffian stroke and buffet, every phase 

Of ribald wrong; her wounded lips and brow 

In petrified disgrace retain those scars till now. 



Beware! be strong! The temple's portals near 
Entice the reeking rabble to its halls, 

Where rapt imagination pictures clear 

Thousand delights in pillar, dome and walls, 

Clothing the scene with colors fixed and gay. 
The truth no gazing worshiper appals. 

He sees in fancy a divine array, 

Splendid in gorgeous forms and clothed in endless da5^ 

Three times revolving, earth surrounds the sun 

With shadowed path; three times the circling year 

In mingled light and shade its goal hath won; 

And all these lengthened days and nights appear. 

Peaceful and blessed, around those portals strong. 

Listless the Sphinx may droop in peace; now here 

Some casual foot awakes the echoes long, 

Silent the vacant halls, dispersed the fervid throng. 

But when its fourth course Sol's resplendent car 
Begins to trace, there is a restless sign 

Of gathering thousands hastening from afar. 
By thirst and hunger led, to seek divine 

Consoling joys beneath great Boodle's dome; 
Where universal hopes and griefs combine 

To fix the seat of that mysterious Om, 

The sacred fount of life; saints' beatific home. 

Without, surpassing fair the stories rise; 

Nude caryatid, arch and architrave; 
While dome on dome ascending to the skies, 

O'ertop the polished columns. Banners wave 
To every breeze. O'er all the sheen of gold 

Thrills to the core all throbbing hearts that crave 
That strange seductive treasure which of old 
Enslaves, entrances all who sigh as they behold. 



Within, mysterious shadows' gloomy frown 

Alternate mingles with a fitful gleam 
Springing from deep recesses; strange lights crown 

Column and arch, whose brightened angles seem 
Stretched into vistas; niche and terrace rise 

Tier upon tier, which fancy well may deem 
An infinite succession; still the gloom defies 
Investigation; all appears a glory to the eyes. 

Beneath, a reeking bed of gathered mire 

Fouled with the special dirt of every clime, 

Unheeded in the one consuming fire 

Of frenzied devotees. A thickening slime 

Gathers on wall and arch, from noisome breath 
Of vomic-nicotine. The vault sublime 

Smeared with the sooty mass of pendent death. 

Dinned by the thunder cries, none heeds what other saith. 

Within a deep enclosure, raised on high, 

Shrouded in gloom, the great god Boodle views 

The fetid crowd; by moving limb and eye 
Tokening perennial interest lest he lose 

One smallest portion of the scene below; 

With outstretched hand, disdaining to refuse 

A single prayer, the rapture to forego 

Of benisons on all who worship, high and low. 

Sudden, the gazing multitude is hushed; 

Silence profound imports some portent near; 
Only is heard the anguished heart throb crushed 

By pained suspense; now strained both eye and ear 
To be the swiftest first to hear or see 

Or seen or heard, or with the first appear. 
Flash! On the god's stretched palm gleam brilliantly 
Mysterious magic signs: — O. F. F. I. C. E. 



Then awe, a shortening breath, — a sigh, a groan 

Swells in a gasping sound through all the space; 

Resounds each vault and isle; the anguished tone 
Recalls to ear the fabled torment place. 

Then gathered all into a mighty roar. 

Torture and hate emblazoned on each face, — 

Shouts the fierce crowd, low bending to the floor, 

"Ave! Great Boodle, see thy faithful saints adore." 

Soon as each burdened heart itself recalls, 

Heeds its own greed or grief and travail long, 

Low in the dirt each boodle zealot falls 

In posture abject ; supplication strong 

Pours in a passionate tone, with piteous cry, 
Aside, again, with more of craft or wrong 

Prepense, are those the multitude espy 

Ogling askance to catch great Boodle's separate eye. 

Again the procession forms; in close array 

And long drawn ranks in solemn march and slow 

The zealous votaries face in dire dismay 

The dismal waiting, waiting, ere they go 

Forward with draggled steps to Boodle's throne; 
To press with reverent lips the proffered toe 

Smeared with unnumbered kisses like their own, 

And swoH'n like Peruvian rocks with cumulate slime un- 
known. 

Only the faithful worshipers who pass 

The osculation ordeal, and abjure 
All nobleness are gathered from the mass 

For further sacrifice. Thus more pure 
In baseness, all unmingled they proceed 

Further in Boodle mysteries, and secure 
More light and skill in that seducing creed 
Which builds on Boodle's shrine the throne of lawless e;reed. 



II 



But hushi A wondrous light at once illumes 
The god and all the worshipers below; 

Each heart a more than former hope assumes 
Bidden profounder m3'steries to know; 

The great god's inner magic stands revealed. 

The charms within more clear and beauteous grow 

The sweet delights which ever have appealed 

To votaries apt and tried, from others all concealed. 

The secret workings of that magic brain 
Swept by electric ripples swift as light, 

By wavelets crossed which speed in constant train 
In myriad current eddies which unile 

In slender films that gather as they go; 
Cohering onl}' in a touch as slight 

As of the sparkling particles which flow 

Along the lightning's flash when at its brightest glow. 

And as they form in each directed line, 

Moved by the flush that governs all their wa}', 

In forms of slender thread at length combine 
To bear to outer world the magnet play 

Which spreads the spirit charm of mind's control. 
All in material atom's swift array 

Tokening a living thought which forms the whole, 

Of mold unique perchance: great Boodle's only soul. 



Seen, too, the mingled avenues which lead 

Inward through slender nerve of eye and hand 

And ear and tongue, by atom force decreed 
To bear impressions' tenderest command 

In currents sentient to the centering brain; 

There re-diffused, transformed, united and 

Fashioned anew in reason's marshaled train 

Speed forth the messengers of happiness or pain. 



12 

More wondrous far, each nervic thread that bears 
Outward the god's decrees expands in light, 

Shaping in word or sign the precious wares 
Reserved for his elect; each token bright 

Points to the place where plenteous treasure lies; 

Diamonds, and silk, and spice, the long-sought site 

Of cruder gold, the traffic hoard which fhes 

From untaught touch; here each his own heart's choice 
espies. 

And as they gaze resplendent on the walls 

Thousands of gleaming visions spread to view. 

Where light in myriad hue of crystal falls, 
Disclosing wide tabernas; ever new 

Crowds throng within, and yield large tribute there 
To quaff the maddening nectar; lictors true. 

Here brawny aldermen, in jewels rare. 

Smile on the rich man's gifts, but spurn the beggar's prayer. 

Now fades the scene, each picture pales from view, 
Leaving the frame and outlines; yet appear 

Where each taberna had been, still a few 
Smiling attendants. Opens to the view 

A pillared hall with cushioned seats around; 

And soon through facile doors assemble here 

The same bold aldermen with pompous sound; 

And shining dollars clink, and hoarse retorts abound. 

For here great Boodle's secret chancel; here 

The creed is formed, the doctrine argued o'er, 

The inspiration drawn with ready ear 

From Boodle's whispers. Here alluring store 

Of franchise, gift and privilege displayed 

Inflames all hearts to higher zeal and more 

Devotion. Now in serried ranks arrayed, 

Old factions fight and fall, new factions siill are made. 



13 

By some is shown a white electric beam, 

Brightening each street and alley, bridge and hall, 
Chasing the gloom by strong and steady gleam 

Which erstwhile shrouded footpads, thieves and all 
Their like. In vain, a chorus fierce exclaims: 

"'Tis Boodle's light, this villain plan must fall," 
Then whisperiug low — "We dare not face the blame 
Of voting 'yes' so soon; we're with you still the same." 

Another faction points with well feigned play 

Of deep concern, to crowded street, and throng 

Chok'ng all exit, transit blocked, delay, 
Exposure, mire, expostulation strong; 

Then shouting loud: "We need a freer space, 
An unimpeded means to move along 

An open route, a surer, swifter pace 

To transport anxious crowds, each to his dwelling place." 

With deeper guile is filled the answering cry, — 

"Concern for public safety bids us go 
"Cautiously here, wherein we can espy 

"A trace of Boodle. Better to be slow 
"In yielding franchise on monopoly." 

Soft whispering then "'Tis safer to vote 'no;' 
"Constituents' eyes are watchful, and can see 
"What motives govern 'yes,' however close we be." 

Beneath the god's outstretched and sheltering hand 

A special chapel fills a deep recess. 
Screened by a folding curtain. Ready stand 

Attendant priests to welcome all who press 
For privileged admittance, tolling each 

With word and touch restraining all excess. 
For here emblazoned scenes are spread, which teach 
Great Boodle's lessons clear, and all his doctrines preach. 



H 

A spacious structure rises; hall and floor 

And rooms unnumbered open to the eye; 

Parlor and vestibule and corridor, 

Pantry and kitchen, well-stocked larder nigh; 

Chapel and lawn, and fuel's ample pile, 

Clothing for work and rest in full supply 

Suggest large outlay and resource, the while 

Inspire the boodle soul with thought of pelf and guile. 

And gathered here a strange and varied crowd, 

Dissimilar in action, tone and speech; 
Abnormal all; some mute, some ever loud 

And restless; in the lowering eye of each 
A settled gleam; some wandering listless o'er 

The level sward; again some vainly reach 
To seize the moon or star, or vacant pore 
O'er the full page, but thence can draw but scanty store. 

But helpless all to shield their vacant day 

From the strong cunning of a boodle mind. 

Pictured beneath far other scenes display. 
Visions and persons of a different kind. 

For here a banquet spread with flowers and wine 
Tells the disposal of the store designed 

For the mind — crippled; the revelers combine 

To shield each others crimes by vows at Boodle's shrine. 

Companion picture; — cots and beds are laid 

In solemn rows, in chambers clean and pure, 

And all in spotless coverings arrayed. 

Enticing health and rest and speedy cure 

To bodies racked by fell disease and pain. 
And loss of limb, forever to endure 

A life dependent, and that dreary strain 

Which fetters all the maimed, for whom few hopes remain. 



15 

Here prescient care abundant means supplies 
For ease or pain, tor gentle nurture. Here 

Soft hands and hearts with gentle touch and wise, 
Apply such remedies as best appear. 

And coax back strength with generous food and wine, 
The kindly smile, the word that casts out fear, 

The strength-transmitting touch, the strong design 

Transfusing mind's control in law of life combine. 

But wine and cheer entice the boodle soul ; 

It longs to seize the tender gifts prepared 
For suffering and want; sighs to control 

Their sources. Boodle's votaries ensnared 
To this foul chapel view the scene portrayed 

Of this good cheer and gentle gifts, all shared 
B}' devotees whose artifice has made 
Their only home and hope within the temple's shade. 

On the third side a comely priestess stands, 

Nude to the waist and with uncovered limb, 
Holding a double curtain in her hands, — 

While the full light pours down not soft nor dim- 
Ready for pay to draw the curtain free. 

Here female forms as true as life and slim, 
Reclining, dancing, toying merrily; — 
Beneath, imprinted large, " For those who worship me. " 

"With joyous smile and wide dilated eye 

And arching neck each bends to view the scene. 

While quickened pulse und half emitted sigh 
Tell the seductive power each siren queen 

And tablet pose enforce upon the soul. 

Slowly the lingering line withdraws, between 

Halting and wavering, 'till at length the whole 

Impassioned crowd is pressed to other priests' control. 



i6 



Full in the view of those who here retire, 

In open aisle, where all may freely gaze, 

And all imbibe the tenets which Inspire 

Great Boodle's minions, and impress his praise 

On every tongue, bright life-size tablets glare. 
The meaning clear, the bold, enticing ways, 

Which proffer wealth to all who seek to know 

How to secure the gifts which from his bounty flow. 

The field of springs. A legislative hall ; 

A restless conclave stirred by sharp debate; 
Alternate fiery speech and formal call 

Of names, and cries of 'aye' or 'no,' create 
A sense of pride in freedom's lusty voice; 

The open look, the fearless mien, sedate 
And forceful, laud the pure and public choice 
Of champions for the right, and bid its friends rejoice. 

Within the chamber, sternly watching near. 

Sit Boodle's priests, arrayed in vesture gay; 

From them mysterious sentient lines appear 
To reach debater's ears; their mutual play 

Denotes concerted action. Sympathy 

Thrills through these lines as swells the wordy fray. 

Dull exoteric eyes no sign can see: 

From esoteric souls dispelled all mystery. 

Arrayed around the jealous priests observe 
Contending reasonings' alternate force. 

And as the argued interests sway and swerve, 
Infuse new life into the struggle's course, 

As Boodle's secret motive may command. 

And they, long deemed a commonwealth's resource 

To fight for right divine, are seen to stand 

Boodle's obedient slaves, — his gifts within their hand. 



17 

Widens the scene. These pictures all effaced 
A grander dome reveals its towering lines 

High o'er a spreading pile, and proudly traced 
To crown a nation's capital. Combines 

Supremacy with vastness in its spread. 

Gathered beneath, the power, the high designs 

By countless minor thinkings sourced and fed 

That speak a people's mind, — the living and the dead. 

Assembled here beneath the ample vault 

The thousand plans that guide a nation's way, 

Alternate reasonings perplex, exalt. 

Then guide into fair wisdom's clearer day. 

The purer light of life, the darker shade 

Dimming the clearness of the holier way, 

Enable subtle promptings to be made 

By Boodle's artful priests, all skillful in their trade. 

Vast is the area from hence revealed; 

The mountain's gold, the treasures of Peru; 
Alaska's ice-bound secrets all unsealed. 

Forest and ranch and isle exposed to view; 
Indies and oceans spread before the eye; 

More than the fabled tempter ever knew, 
But to the zealous devotee brought nigh, 
Who bends to the real devil in these days throned on high. 

Here, too, the votaries in rapture view 

The larger ducts by which the golden stream 

Of Boodle's bounty charms, enriches, too. 

Dazed they behold, as if in mystic dream, 

Sudden the potent vision's spell hath ceased, 

And all with furious voice "To Pharaoh" scream. 

"Presiding host of this quadrennial feast, 

Distributor of heaven, great Boodle's arch high priest." 



Hark! dauntless Sphinx, when sternest duty's call 
Stations the watchtul sabkos at the gate, 

Crushing each column strong and patient wall, 

The struggling throng approach their dreaded fate. 

Swift to the portal, quell the swelling din. 

Beyond— not thine the shame — expectant wait 

Attendant priests, of stature gaunt and thin, 

Tolling a douceur large ere each may pass within. 

Soon in the Pharaoh's presence ranged in line, 
The suppliants assume an aspect new. 

Each meanest devotee at Boodle's shrine. 

Loudest in vaunting, spreads to Pharaoh's view 

Tokens of prowess dark with human gore; 

Boasts of the vanquished enemies he slew; 

Invents red triumphs in dark days of yore. 

The dungeons he endured, the agonies he bore. 

Yet even here a mild and patient few 

Stand with a placid 63^6 and brow serene: 

Not vaunting, not disdainful; they review 

In modest phrase each storied combat scene. 

Through recent years in peaceful wisdom's way. 
Not oblivious, not forgiving what hath been: 

Bearing their manly homage fresh to-day. 

Discerning Pharaoh smiles on this elect array. 

Sadly the crestfall'n crowd retires, arid each 
Decries blind Boodle's impotence in tears; 

Abjures the hated god in florid speech; 

Vows to renounce him in the coming years; 

High pride all humbled and close coffers void. 

Yet when the next quadrennial feast appears, 

Still in their patient ecstasy employed. 

To Boodle's fetid shrine all blindly are decoyed. 



19 

Such is the fervid cult of modern days, 

Embracing countless millions in its creed. 

The sycophantic knee, the servile phrase. 

The paeans hymned, the devotees who bleed; 

The pilgrim throng that speed from every shore; 
The idol formed from every human greed, 

Exhaling steam of sin from every pore; — 

Unpurchaseable Sphinx, guard thou our Pharaoh's door. 

ROBERT H. VICKERS. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



007 031 348 




I^Jy^/^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




007 031 348 



i 



